Generating Test Data: Part 2 - Generating Sequential and Random Dates

Part two of this fantastic series from Jeff Moden looks at generating date data, something which can be handy for any number of testing purposes.

Generating Test Data: Part 1 - Generating Random Integers and Floats

Learn how you can easily generate large amounts of test data efficiently in this new series from Jeff Moden. Part 1 covers integers and floating point values.

Query Tuning

Create a Tally or Numbers Table

This creates a Tally or Numbers table which is frequently used to replace loops in code and is much faster than most loops.

Hidden RBAR: Counting with Recursive CTE's

"Counting" is essential to many high performance code techniques. SQL Server MVP, Jeff Moden, shows us how to make sure that we're "Counting" and not "Crippling" our trick-code.

Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 2 - Dynamic Cross Tabs

In Part 1, we learned how to make both Cross-Tabs and Pivots. In Part 2, we'll learn how to automate a very common type of Cross-Tab report and maybe learn some extra tricks on the way.

Passing Parameters as (almost) 1, 2, and 3 Dimensional Arrays

It's a well known fact that there's no such thing as a true "array" in SQL Server and that you can't pass a table as a parameter... but you can get a lot closer than you think.

Dissecting SQL Server Execution Plans

A review of MVP Grant Fritchey's "Dissecting Execution Plans". This is one book that you'll want on your bookshelf.

Hidden RBAR: Triangular Joins

Just because it looks set based, doesn't mean it is. T-SQL Crackerjack Jeff Moden takes a look at a mistake that many query writers make.

More RBAR and "Tuning" UPDATEs

SQL Server expert Jeff Moden discusses a common problem seen in many update statements.